Memories
July 13, 2009
Bayshore, ME
A washed-out, tired-looking middle-aged woman with dull strawberry blond hair tainted by a wide swath of dingy dishwater roots streaked with gray sat in a chair by the window of an elevated seaside cottage. The living room was filled with packed boxes. The woman took a tissue and dabbed her red-rimmed eyes. She then turned her attention back to the book in her hand: Nightshade, by Aldon Quay.
The copy was well worn, having been read many times. The woman opened the tattered cover and smiled wanly through her tears as she traced the inscription in the front of the book.
To my darling Terry on her 14th birthday
With love from Daddy
May 5, 1978
“Thirty-one years ago,” the woman sighed. A tear fell on the inscription and she dabbed it away. “It’s hard to believe that you’ve been gone ten years now. I’m so glad that I have Aldon. I love him like he was one of my own uncles. That being said, it sounds creepy that I’m marrying his cousin, doesn’t it? I wish you could be there when I marry Elvin, Daddy. I miss you so...I love you so much...”
A thump from upstairs gave Terry a start.
“What the hell have you Godforsaken animals done now?” she demanded.
She set the book on the chair and headed upstairs; ready to shout at whichever cat had knocked something down.
“Could be Elvin,” she mused. “The sweetest man alive, but not the most graceful thing on legs. Him I won’t swat on the haunches. On the other hand, perhaps he could use a good spanking for wrecking my bedroom.”
A grin brightened Terry’s sorrowful face and she laughed softly as she ascended the stairs.
July 13, 2009
Bayshore, ME
A washed-out, tired-looking middle-aged woman with dull strawberry blond hair tainted by a wide swath of dingy dishwater roots streaked with gray sat in a chair by the window of an elevated seaside cottage. The living room was filled with packed boxes. The woman took a tissue and dabbed her red-rimmed eyes. She then turned her attention back to the book in her hand: Nightshade, by Aldon Quay.
The copy was well worn, having been read many times. The woman opened the tattered cover and smiled wanly through her tears as she traced the inscription in the front of the book.
To my darling Terry on her 14th birthday
With love from Daddy
May 5, 1978
“Thirty-one years ago,” the woman sighed. A tear fell on the inscription and she dabbed it away. “It’s hard to believe that you’ve been gone ten years now. I’m so glad that I have Aldon. I love him like he was one of my own uncles. That being said, it sounds creepy that I’m marrying his cousin, doesn’t it? I wish you could be there when I marry Elvin, Daddy. I miss you so...I love you so much...”
A thump from upstairs gave Terry a start.
“What the hell have you Godforsaken animals done now?” she demanded.
She set the book on the chair and headed upstairs; ready to shout at whichever cat had knocked something down.
“Could be Elvin,” she mused. “The sweetest man alive, but not the most graceful thing on legs. Him I won’t swat on the haunches. On the other hand, perhaps he could use a good spanking for wrecking my bedroom.”
A grin brightened Terry’s sorrowful face and she laughed softly as she ascended the stairs.
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